Kenny tells an ‘outrageous’ mugging tale in Dáil
Cork Fianna Fáil TD and deputy chief whip Billy Kelleher said Mr Kenny was guilty of whipping up fear by implying the incident took place recently in Ireland, rather than in Kenya 12 years ago.
Mr Kenny used a Fine Gael Dáil bid to give greater rights to householders to use violence against burglars to reveal his ordeal.
He said he had been mugged at knife-point by two people high on drugs in a speech highlighting the level of crime in Ireland under the current Government.
“Until the day I die, I will remember the rasping sound of a knife being pulled from a leather scabbard and the impression that leaves on one’s mind.
“For me, it was not a case of fear but of being prepared to fight for my life, literally,” he told TDs.
However, Fianna Fáil accused him of “spinning” the incident and giving the impression it had happened in Ireland and not Africa.
“He misled the Dáil during a debate on crime with a story that’s 12 years old and happened half a world away,” Mr Kelleher said.
“You have to hand it to Enda for embellishment, though. His account of an attack at knife-point was certainly moving — only it didn’t happen in Ireland.
“Can we really trust this man in Government?” Mr Kelleher added.
Mr Kenny’s spokesman said the FF claims were “ridiculous” in light of the fact the FG leader had been highlighting fears felt by crime victims by his own experiences.
“This is absolute rubbish. I am sure the people of Cork would prefer this Fianna Fáil TD to spend his time dealing with the crime problems on his own doorstep than engaging in this petty nonsense,” he said.
